Human rights and gender

In many countries, human rights are seriously violated, with women and indigenous communities often being hit the hardest. Together with our partners, Both ENDS works to safeguard human rights like the right to water and food, with special attention for the rights of women and the specific rights of indigenous people (such as the principle of free, prior and informed consent, FPIC). The shrinking space for civil society and increasing oppression in many countries makes it ever more difficult for our partner organisations to operate.

The fight for women's equality continues

Fighting for equal rights for women and men is an integral part of our mission. It is not only a matter of social justice, but also a requirement for achieving sustainable development. Both ENDS supports women's leadership, for example by helping them to get a place at the negotiating table, by promoting small grants funds that can ensure that climate and other funds are allocated directly to local women's groups, and by stimulating cooperation between environmental and women's organisations in the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA).

FPIC: the right of indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making

Companies, governments and financial institutions that invest in projects in indigenous areas must adhere to the principle of FPIC. FPIC means that local communities must be able to participate in decision-making on projects in their territories, without being placed under pressure (free), before the project starts (prior) and on the basis of the correct information (informed). Both ENDS promotes FPIC to ensure that investors respect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Shrinking civic space

Unfortunately, in recent years, the space for civil society to act has been shrinking steadily worldwide. Non-violent protest is increasingly repressed with violence and freedom of the press, of expression and association is being restricted in many parts of the world.

The most serious consequence of this repression is the increasing threat to human rights defenders and those who protect the environment. Many of them have already given their lives in their struggle for justice. Both ENDS supports and strengthens them and their organisations, because a strong civil society worldwide is of crucial importance for fair and sustainable development.

Our work on the subject of Human rights and gender

Transformative Practice

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

About one in every six people, particularly women, directly rely on forests for their lives and livelihoods, especially for food. This shows how important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and forests are to ensure community resilience. Not only as a source of food, water and income, but also because of their cultural and spiritual meaning.
Transformative Practice

Analog Forestry

Analog forestry is a transformative approach to the ecological restoration of degraded lands. Natural forests are used as guides to create ecologically sustainable landscapes, which support the social and economical needs of local communities.
Dossier

Uganda’s Energy Future

Despite the existence of many hydropower dams, foreign investments and large government spending on energy, and new plans for hydropower, oil and gas projects, the vast majority of rural Uganda still remains without electricity. Together with our local partners we are striving towards a sustainable energy strategy for Uganda that starts from the needs and wishes of local communities.
Dossier

Inclusive ways to sustainable and healthy food for all

All around the world small-scale farmers are using sustainable and inclusive methods to produce food. Working together with nature and each other, they provide their families and communities with sufficient and healthy food. But their production methods are under pressure from large-scale agriculture and the globally dominant system of industrial food production. Together with our partners, Both ENDS is trying to turn the tide in favour of sustainable, local practices that are mostly known as 'agro-ecological' or 'nature-inclusive'. Why are we focusing on these methods? Agro-ecological practices are climate-proof and inclusive and increase the opportunities for communities around the world to produce their food sustainably.
Dossier

The Netherlands, the world and the elections

Elections are soon to be held in the Netherlands. The political parties are sharpening their knives and have outlined their plans in hefty manifestos. Not surprisingly, they mainly focus on domestic issues. International themes are primarily addressed in terms of opportunities for Dutch companies and threats in areas like health, privacy and competition that we need to protect ourselves against. But if we want to make the Netherlands sustainable, we especially need to look at our footprint beyond our own borders and make every effort to reduce it. In the weeks leading up to the elections, Both ENDS looks at where the parties' manifestos offer opportunities to achieve that.
Dossier

Everything becomes fluid under pressure: behind the scenes in Corona time

In these times of worldwide lockdown all attention is focused on the care sector, on the sorrow of those who are losing their loved ones, on children getting home-schooling and the neighbour who can no longer go the supermarket herself. Politicians and civil servants are hard at work trying to control the COVID-19 crisis and the economic crisis it has caused.
Dossier

Gas in Mozambique

In 2011 one of the world’s largest gas reserves was found in the coastal province of Cabo Delgado, in the north of Mozambique. A total of 35 billion dollars has been invested to extract the gas. Dozens of multinationals and financiers are involved in these rapid developments. It is very difficult for the people living in Cabo Delgado to exert influence on the plans and activities, while they experience the negative consequences. With the arrival of these companies, they are losing their land.
Dossier

Rights for People, Rules for Corporations – Stop ISDS!

Indigenous communities in Paraguay saw their attempts to regain their ancestral lands thwarted by German investors. In Indonesia, US-based mining companies succeeded to roll back new laws that were meant to boost the country’s economic development and protect its forests. This is the level of impact that investment treaties can have on social, environmental and economic development and rights. Why? Because of the ‘Investor-to-State Dispute Settlement’ clauses that are included in many such treaties.
Dossier

Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA)

GAGGA rallies the collective power of the women's rights and environmental justice movements to realize a world where women can and do access their rights to water, food security, and a clean, healthy and safe environment.
Dossier

Fair Green and Global Alliance (FGG)

Together with civil society organisations from all over the world, the Fair Green and Global (FGG) Alliance aims for socially just, inclusive and environmentally sustainable societies in the Netherlands and the Global South.